Chapter 3

Taking Off

H-(the pen had pressed against the tiny piece of paper hard enough to puncture a hole through it, in fact there were tiny holes throughout the whole letter and the handwriting was slightly shaky, although he wasn't sure if it was from fear or anger)-arry.

Your Headmaster has visited us, to explain some of the things you were going through this summer, and told us how to help you better in the future. I hope you enjoy your year at the school and I look forwards to seeing you next summer.

Vernon Dursley

Oh, I forgot to mention, while your Headmaster was here, I told him that you have permission from me to visit the village during the weekends.

For a few days afterwards Ron tried to convince Hermione to go to Durmstrang, but eventually gave up and found something else that would occupy the rest of the year. With Fred and George, as well as Angelina about to leave in about two weeks time and with Oliver Wood having graduated last year, the Gryffindor Quidditch team were down four players, and the newly appointed captain, Alicia Spinnet was in a rush to replace them before their first match in November. She was extremely worried about her newly appointed position, more worried than when she had to play as a Seeker during Harry's first year at Hogwarts and didn't bother to hide the fact that she was overjoyed that at least they wouldn't be losing one of the best Seekers in the school.

Ron was showing an interest in playing, but unfortunately didn't have a broom of his own, and was trying to use his brothers' good mood to convince them to let him borrow one of their broomsticks for the year, Ginny was also trying out for a place on the team and was going after the other one. Alicia had reserved the pitch on Saturday and from what Harry had heard in the common room, a few people were interested, but not as many as they were hoping for. Most of the older students weren't showing much interest, since they had a lot of work to do with their O.W.L.s and their N.E.W.T.s and there were even some people muttering quietly that Gryffindor's chances this year were pretty slim.

It was the younger students that seemed eager, especially those that were present during Gryffindor's last match, where after a spectacularly tense game, Gryffindor emerged victorious and were awarded the Quidditch Cup surrounded by a cheering mob of students in red and gold. But as eager as they were, most of them didn't have their own broomsticks and were planning on borrowing ones from school and as bad as Harry felt for thinking this, using those were unlikely to get you a place on the team.

Harry quickly finished his breakfast and told Ron and Hermione that he would see them in a bit and hurried down to the changing rooms. After putting on his red Quidditch robes, he carried his own Nimbus to the pitch, where Alicia and Katie were already hard at work. They had come down earlier to try and sort out the few good school brooms from the outright unstable, as well as a Quaffle, a Bludger and a few bats that would be needed soon.

Soon a trickle of students started arriving at the pitch, quite a few more people than Harry was expecting, but it was soon evident that not all of them were here to try out for the team, not all of them were even in Gryffindor. There were those that were here to cheer for their friends, like Hermione, Sue and Ernie were doing for Ron, but there were also a few people Harry recognised from his previous matches, watching the field with shrewd eyes.

Alicia dumped Harry with the younger students, telling him to try and make sure that they could all at least fly without hurting themselves. Trying to remember the very first lesson he had with Madam Hooch, he split them into small groups and took them to the skies one group at a time. It was soon evident that for most of them their enthusiasm far outweighed their abilities, there were one or two that Harry was sure hadn't touched a broom since their own lessons with Madam Hooch, but most of them seem to be generally good flyers, even though there was no one that stood out in particular. Even so, he thought that with a few good practice sessions under their wings, they might make decent players.

Harry was back on the ground and he gave a momentary glance towards the goalposts, where a very pale and nervous looking Ron was trying to stop the oncoming Quaffle into the hoops. He was always a decent flyer, at least whenever he borrowed Harry's Nimbus for a ride at Hogwarts or at the Burrow. He wasn't sure if Ron or Ginny had managed to get a hold of their brothers' brooms, the twins were having fun torturing their brother by dragging it out and Ron told Harry he was going to ask them once more before coming to the field. Harry found the twins on the other side of the field along with Angelina. Even though they weren't going to be a part of the team this year, they still wanted Gryffindor to retain the Cup, and were here helping the team find their replacements. He thought that the two figures, with red hair so clearly identifiable even from a distance, were slightly unsteady in the sky, almost as if they weren't used to the broomsticks they were riding, perhaps Ron and Ginny had succeeded after all.

Someone called Harry's name and he turned around at the group that was waiting for their turn on the brooms, but a second year girl was pointing away from the Quidditch field and towards the castle. Harry looked and saw Professor McGonagall walking, slightly hurriedly, towards them. Harry quickly called out to Alicia and Katie, and the girls flew down to meet her.

Before the Professor arrived, Harry had a quick chance to ask them. "How was Ron?"

"Eh..." Alicia made a non-committal noise and shrugged slightly. "How are things over here?"

Harry made a similar gesture, "Not too bad, I guess."

"Miss Spinnet, it appears to be going well." Professor McGonagall surveyed the field full of her Gryffindors and gave a slight nod of approval.

"Is there something you needed, Professor?" Alicia asked with a relived smile, she had been quite nervous all week about taking over the team.

McGonagall's mouth thinned slightly and she turned to Harry. "I'm afraid I'll have to borrow Mr. Potter for a bit. I can see the twins and Miss Johnson are here to help you, so I'm sure you should be able to carry on without him for a while."

"Oh, right, Of course, Professor." Alicia and Katie both caught the tense expression on their head of house and turned to Harry, their eyes questioning him if he had gotten himself into trouble.

Harry was confused, he definitely didn't remember doing anything wrong. "Erm… should I get changed then?"

"No time, Mr. Potter, the Headmaster is waiting." she said curtly.

"Uh… okay." Harry looked around and saw Hermione standing nearby, not close enough to hear what they were saying but she was definitely curious about McGonagall's sudden arrival. "I'll just leave my broom with Hermione..."

Harry left the Professor and quickly walked over to his friend, she took the Nimbus and asked, "What's going on?"

"I don't know." Harry muttered. "The Headmaster wants to talk to me, apparently."

"About?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

But Harry just shrugged. "She doesn't look happy though..."

Harry hurried back as the Professor started making her way back towards the castle. He half ran until he caught up with her and, slightly breathless, asked, "Why does the Headmaster want to see me?"

"He has received correspondence from the Ministry concerning your Nullificare Charm." she said without slowing down.

"Oh." Harry felt a bitter wave of disappointment. "They couldn't convince the Ministry to take it back then? I'll have to wear it until-"

"I do not know, Mr. Potter. The Minister of Magic is coming here to speak with you about it." McGonagall turned slightly, and what Harry had thought had been annoyance he now recognised as worry.

Harry didn't have a good opinion of Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic for Britain. Everyone he knew and respected didn't seem to have a single good thing to say about the man, and his first meeting with Fudge had only led to the some of the worst summers of his life. Not only that, it had been on his orders that Remus had been unjustly taken to Azkaban, where he had to endure weeks of torment, details of which the werewolf adamantly refused to reveal to Harry. There was also the fact Sirius had let slip, that the Minister of Magic was very close to Albus Dumbledore, the old wizard that had plagued Harry's dreams during the summer. Whatever the Minister was coming all this way to say to him, Harry couldn't imagine it being anything good.

Harry kept up with Professor McGonagall's brisk pace, not really noticing anything around him. Still in his Quidditch robes and following a thin lipped Professor McGonagall gave the impression that he was whisked away from practice for causing trouble. But Harry never noticed the students whispering as they walked pass, only shaking himself from his thoughts when they had already reached the Headmaster's office and Professor McGonagall urged him pass the gargoyle he had only just realised had moved to one side at the Professor's muttered password.

Professor Riddle was waiting inside and Harry caught him with an expression very much like the one Professor McGonagall had on her face, before turning it into a reassuring smile. "Harry, I'm sorry we had to call you here in the middle of Quidditch practice."

Harry nodded, biting his lips. "You don't think it's good news then?"

Professor Riddle briefly turned to McGonagall, who was standing behind Harry, before answering. "I suppose it is good that they're finally answering us, but I didn't expect the Minister himself to join us. I genuinely have no idea what he is coming here to say."

There was a knock and the door opened before Professor Riddle had a chance to answer. A witch and a wizard stepped inside, ignoring the people and glancing around the room. The witch Harry recognised as the Auror who was sent instead of Sirius to arrest Remus, Proudfoot if he remembered correctly. The other he didn't recognise, but seemed likely that he was another Auror. The wizard leaned out the open door and muttered something quietly and finally the Minister of Magic stepped inside. Professor McGonagall let out a snort at this obvious display of distrust, but the Headmaster kept a smile fixed onto his face as he greeted the visitors. "Minister, I hope you are well. Proudfoot, Savage."

The two Aurors returned a small nod to the Professor, but the Minister was busy looking around his feet and said nervously. "Your pet... it isn't around, is it?"

"Don't worry Minister, after what happened last time, I thought it would be better to send her away during our meeting." Riddle gave the Minister an amused look.

"Well… they can be dangerous… never mind." Fudge turned a dark shade of red. He cleared his throat and turned to Harry. "Ah, Mr. Potter, your Quidditch robes? I hear you are a very good player. Hoping to play professionally in the future?"

Harry was infinitely curious about what Nagini had done to the Minister of Magic, but pushed the thought away. "I.. erm.. hadn't really thought about it."

The Minister nodded, not really hearing Harry's answer and turned to the Headmaster. "Good. Good. Now, Headmaster, you have been arguing for a year for the removal of Harry's Nullificare Charm and the Ministry is inclined to give him another chance."

"A chance?" Riddle asked carefully.

Fudge ignored the question and turned to Harry. "Now, you've learned to control yourself, haven't you Harry?"

It took Harry a moment to control himself right at that moment, to push down the anger rising up his throat and he finally answered. "Yes sir."

"Good!" Fudge gave Harry a condescending smile. "Now, you must know that Durmstrang Institute is holding the Triwizard Tournament this year, have you had any thoughts of competing?"

"I… did, but I couldn't pass Professor McGonagall's test." Harry frowned, wondering why he was suddenly bringing up the Tournament. "I'm thinking of trying again for the next one."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but..." he said with a smile, not sounding sorry at all. "I think I may be able to help you...

"Oh?" Harry commented, trying to keep the mistrustful frown from forming on his face.

The smile widened on the Minister's face. "I would like you to go to Durmstrang Institute with the rest of the students and get to know some of our European neighbours."

"Minister! You're overstepping your bounds! You cannot force someone to compete in such a dangerous Tournament when they are not ready!" McGonagall said sharply from behind Harry.

"No, no, not at all. I trust your judgement Professor McGonagall, he has no need to compete." Fudge was still smiling. "The Ministry has been getting requests for years for Harry to to come visit the various countries that he has helped liberate, but we have always turned them down, you were still too young after all. But now… fourteen years old, I think he is ready to see the wider-"

"Minister." Riddle cut him off, the smile gone from his face. "I don't see what this has to do with the Nullificare Charm."

"Oh, it's to make sure he can control himself when he is somewhere unfamiliar." Fudge said vaguely, dismissing the Professor with a wave of his hand. "If he does well, then he never needs to worry about the Charm again."

"There are plenty of places to test that without needing to leave the country." Riddle's voice was cold.

"It'll be good for the boy!" Fudge insisted. "There's much he can learn at Durmstrang, and besides, being personally tutored by you, a… a... well respected wizard..."

Harry didn't think he had ever seen the Minister show an ounce of respect towards the Headmaster. Riddle narrowed his eyes, "He can learn much here at Hogwarts. What is it that you want him to do there?"

"Nothing! As I've already said, he'll be doing the same as your other students there, learning and making new friends from the other schools!" Fudge said impatiently. "We just want-"

Voices were raised as the two Professors argued with the Minister, while the two Aurors were carefully trying to calm everyone down, until the Headmaster took a single step towards the Minister. Savage, the Auror, seemed to find something threatening about this slight motion and raised his wand at Professor Riddle, telling him to back down, to which Professor McGonagall shrieked in outrage.

Harry was in the middle, staring at all this happening, while he considered what the Minister had offered. Going to Durmstrang? He wasn't going to be competing, so he wouldn't have to worry about getting past dragons or reading ancient runes to save his life, but he wasn't sure what else they were expecting from him. While Hermione was weighing out the pros and cons of going herself, she had talked to Harry about it and in the end had managed to convince him that it would actually be quite fun to go.

"I'll do it." the words came out in a croak and was drowned out by the shouts from the Minister. Harry cleared his throat and tried again, "I'll do it... I'll go."

The rest of the room looked at him in surprise, almost as if they'd forgotten he was there. Professor Riddle gave him a pained expression, while Minister Fudge shot the Headmaster a look of triumph. "Of course you will, Harry! A chance to visit Durmstrang isn't something that is offered to any student, why I'm sure-"

Fudge froze, trying to work his mouth but no sound came out. Riddle had his back to Harry and was facing off the three Ministry wizards, who had blanched considerably. Tom Riddle spoke, in barely above a whisper. but in the absolute silence of the room, it almost felt like his words were echoing in their minds. "Minister, you have said what you came here to say. I think... it is best... to give time for Harry to think about it before he makes his decision, there is still time before we leave for Durmstrang, after all."

Minister Fudge trembled visibly and managed a weak stutter. "I… I… you… he… v..v..very well. H..Harry, think about it and… yes… well… We should be off then..."

And without another word the Minister turned around and barely managed to keep himself from running out. The two Aurors followed the Minister of Magic, Proudfoot giving the Headmaster a slightly apologetic look before closing the door behind her. Professor McGonagall moved to the Headmaster's side and laid a hand on his back, and in a gentle voice said, "Tom..."

The Headmaster let out a sigh, "I shouldn't have lost control like that..."

"If you hadn't, I might have done." McGonagall said with a short laugh.

After a few more whispered words Harry couldn't make out, Professor Riddle turned to Harry with a gentle smile on his face. "Let's sit down, shall we? I think a spot of tea would do us good..."

Five minutes later, Harry was sitting down on a conjured armchair, carefully blowing into a mug of steaming tea, before taking a small sip. He looked at the two Professors, who were both looking extremely tired. "Do you think… Dumbledore has something to do with it? About trying to get me to go to Durmstrang, I mean..."

"...That would seem likely." Professor Riddle answered with a sigh.

"Why does he want me to go there? Does it have anything to do with what you told me last summer?" Harry realised now that he might have been a little hasty in accepting the Minister's offer, he had so many questions about the whole thing. "What do you think he expects me to do when I get there?"

"I'm not sure..." Riddle shook his head.

"Any… insights about his motivations?" Professor McGonagall asked with a meaningful look.

"He… appears to be telling the truth when he says he isn't expecting Harry to do anything." the Headmaster said slowly.

"How can you tell?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh, just a little trick I know." Riddle said simply. "It doesn't always work, but I'm sure I'm right this time..."

"That's good then, right?" Harry said hopefully.

The Headmaster didn't reply and took a sip of his tea. Professor McGonagall eventually said, "It might be a good thing, Headmaster, you could keep a close eye on Harry if he's there with you and I'm sure the Durmstrang wards are as good as the ones at Hogwarts..."

"Harry, is this what you really want?" Professor Riddle turned to Harry, his expression blank.

"I… Hermione told me what happens if you don't get chosen as the Champion, and I thought it might be quite interesting to go..." Harry hesitated, then he remembered Remus' words and he lowered his eyes before he began to speak again. "I don't really care if I go or not but... but... I really don't want to wear that… thing… ever again. Kendra said you're both working to try so that I don't have to but… Do you think there will be a way if I don't accept the Minister's offer?"

Harry looked up and the Headmaster gave him a sad shake of the head. "I don't know, Harry…"

"Maybe… Fudge is telling the truth and he just wants me to go there? He said people were writing to him for me to visit places, maybe it has nothing to do with Dumbledore at all?" Harry really didn't think that was the case, but he could still hope.

"Maybe..." Professor Riddle seemed unconvinced. "Harry, why don't you go think about it for a few days. I think I'll write to Kendra, if her father is involved she might know something. I'll call you back here when I hear from her and you can decide then."

"That is a good idea." McGonagall nodded in agreement. "You should get back to the Quidditch pitch, I'm sure they'll still be there, waiting for you to get back."

Harry felt a flash of guilt as he imagined the conversation with Alicia, where he would have to tell her he wouldn't be here to play Seeker. "Yes Professor."

"YOU'RE DOING WHAT?" despite her reaction being completely as he had expected, Harry still flinched back when Alicia all but screamed at him in the middle of the bustling corridor.

"There's an empty classroom over there, let's talk inside..." Harry blushed as he saw several people watching them with mild curiosity. He started walking and thankfully the fuming Alicia was following him.

The Gryffindor Chaser took a deep breath, calming herself, but she still glared at him with her arms crossed. "Well?"

When Harry left the Headmaster's office that day, he went back to the Quidditch pitch, although not in much of a hurry. There were much less people now, the rest of the team managed to weed out the some of the less experienced students and were now playing an actual match. Alicia had talked about having a few extra members as reserves in case something happens to the regulars, she didn't say it out loud but they were all thinking of Oliver's attack last year. Harry thought that this was a great idea, now more than ever, hoping Alicia wouldn't be as angry as he was expecting, if there was someone that could replace him.

He joined them but the match didn't last long afterwards, they'd been at it for a few hours now and most of them weren't used to the practice and looked tired. Alicia told them that she would announce who made the team in a few days and the Gryffindors disbanded. Hermione was looking impatient by the time Harry had changed, she had been more curious about what the Headmaster wanted than anything Quidditch related.

They went to the Great Hall for lunch and after sitting at the end of the table, away from anyone else, Harry told his friends what happened in the Headmaster's office.

"Really? That's good... right?" Hermione beamed at him but then looked uncertain at Harry's frown.

"I'm… not sure. Professor Riddle seems to think there might be something that they're not telling us." Harry explained the possibility that Albus Dumbledore was involved in it.

Ron mumbled something, while he played around with the food in front of him. Then he shook his head and turned to Harry with a smile that looked slightly forced. "It'll be worth it to not have to wear that thing I guess, you really looked bad on the first day."

"Yeah, I think so too." Hermione agreed, giving Ron a look.

"You don't think they'll let us come as well, do you?" Ron sighed. It turned out the Quidditch hadn't gone as well as he had hoped and he didn't think he would make it onto the team.

Harry was called back to the Headmaster's office the next day, but unfortunately Kendra didn't have much to tell them. Since agreeing to help Harry, her father had avoided any topic of conversation concerning the boy, and she had no idea if her father was involved in the plan to get Harry to go to Durmstrang or not. However, she did say that when she mentioned it to him, he did not look surprised, so he must have already known about it.

So the decision was left to Harry, who couldn't turn down a chance to part with the Nullificare Charm and decided that he would go.

"I guess I didn't really need the permission for Hogsmeade this year?" the Headmaster returned a small smile at the joke but didn't say anything else. "Erm… would it be possible… for Ron and Hermione to come as well?"

The Headmaster gave him a thoughtful look, "I believe Professor McGonagall has given approval for Miss Granger to go to with the other students this year. If she still wishes to go, she may do so. As for Mr. Weasley… I'm afraid I cannot overturn the Professor's decision..."

When Harry talked to Hermione he managed to convince her easily, but she had to quickly write to her parents for their permission. When he found out they were both leaving, Ron became quite moody. Alicia had made him a reserve Keeper, a fifth year named Cormac McLaggen was made the regular. Despite Harry having done nothing wrong, he still felt guilty for leaving his friend behind and in the end offered Ron something that finally made him smile for the first time that week.

"Your Nimbus Two Thousand?" Ron gaped at his friend.

Harry nodded, holding out the broom towards his friend. "I probably won't be needing it when I get to Durmstrang, so I might as well leave it here where it'll see some use."

It took longer than he'd like to admit to come to this decision. It wasn't as if Ron had never used it before, when he was staying with the Weasleys the whole family had taken turns with it, but he still felt reluctant to part with it for a whole year. But in the end he realised he would even endure the Nullificare Charm again rather than lose Ron as a friend.

"Thanks Harry..." Ron said sheepishly, gripping the Nimbus tightly. "I promise I'll take good care of it. And… good luck at Durmstrang."

And finally there was only one other person he had to talk to.

"So… yeah… I'm not going to be able to play..." Harry said apologetically, avoiding her eyes.

Alicia let out a groan of frustration. She looked like there was a lot she wanted to say, but Harry had told her everything about the Nullificare Charm, more than he ever told anyone who wasn't a close friend, and she couldn't find anything to say. "Okay, I guess it's not your fault… not really. Merlin, where are we going to find a Seeker as good as you…?"

Harry joined in the applause as the Great Hall erupted in cheers as the Headmaster announced the students that would be leaving for Durmstrang in the morning. Harry and Hermione were sitting with the rest of their house rather than with the rest of the candidates, since neither of them were planning to compete. Despite trying to keep it a secret, somehow the rest of the school managed to find out that Harry was going to be joining them. The fact that Hermione had managed to pass McGonagall's test, making her the youngest ever, had spread as well but she was going on her own merits and she could brush off the few muttered whispers calling her a know-it-all with pride. Harry on the other hand had to endure people either accusing him of favouritism or telling him that he had defeated Grindelwald when he was only a baby so he was sure to win the Tournament, which was worse Harry couldn't decide.

He had been feeling nervous all week, but felt better by the end of the meal when, like the last time, the candidates all took turns showcasing their skills. It ended with Fred and George, who not wanting to be outdone by the display from the Hogwarts Champion three years ago, left the whole Hall clutching their ears at the thunderous noise and squinting at the brilliant display of lights from the magically enhanced fireworks of the twins' own creation.

Harry woke up the next morning, his ears thankfully no longer ringing and his trunk gone from the room, presumably already packed onto the train sometime while he was sleeping. It was a Sunday and the others were still sleeping so he tried to be quiet putting on the clothes he had laid out the night before, but when he woke Ron, like he had promised the night before, the red haired boy let out an irritated groan that stirred the other boys.

There was still a few hours until they were going to leave, so Harry and Hermione spent the remaining time with their friends who they wouldn't be seeing for a very long time. Just before lunch they made their way to the grounds, where the Hogwarts Express was there and waiting for them, along with a small crowd of students. Remus and Hagrid were there and they gestured Harry over.

"You have the mirror packed, right?" Harry took out the repaired mirror and showed Remus. "Good. I know we'll be a long way away, but if you need to talk about anything, we'll be here for you."

"Thanks Remus, I'll keep in touch." Harry promised.

Hagrid handed over a small bag. "Here's some owl treats for Hedwig. It'll take her a while to get used to the weather over there and these should help her adjust."

"Thanks Hagrid!" Harry beamed.

"No need! No need!" Hagrid's beard twitched into a smile. "Just look after yourself out there. Where's Hermione? I have something for Crookshanks as well… Ah, there she is..."

As Hagrid made his way through the students towards Hermione, Harry turned to Remus again. "I can't believe I won't be back here for a whole year, I'm really going to miss this place..."

"I'm sure once you get there, the year will go by in a flash." Remus smiled at him. They turned around when they heard someone calling Harry's name. "You should say your goodbyes to your friends."

After several handshakes, hugs and sworn promises to write, Professor Riddle eventually started ushering them onto the train. Harry stepped inside, into the room he remembered from his first year. The large room that almost looked like a classroom, but looked as if a lot more effort had gone into furbishing it. Before he could properly appreciate it, he turned himself around and looked out the window, grinning at his friends standing outside.

The Headmaster gave them all a nod and tapped his wand on a small golden square on the wall of the room. Harry leaned out the window and caught sight of the tiny wings appear on the side of the train, before he was pulled back by an admonishing Hermione. Eventually, without even a jolt, Harry saw the Hogwarts grounds drop a few inches underneath the train. His friends were waving and shouting at him.

"Have fun, Harry! Hermione!"

"Don't forget to write!"

"Harry, don't worry about your Nimbus, I promise I'll take good care of it!"

"Bye!" Harry and Hermione, and all the other students around them, called back at their friends seeing them off.

"Here we go!" Professor Riddle said, with a quiet excitement in his voice.

There was a rush of wind on Harry's face and when he blinked his eyes open they were already high up in the air, the gathered crowd on the ground quickly shrinking. Fred and George Weasley gave a hooting cheer and set off a load of fireworks out the window and they heard far beneath them, a huge cheer as the train glided through the clouds, leaving Hogwarts behind.

A/N

So~ that's happening. I've had to slow the pace down slightly for the fourth year, I hope you don't find it too boring! The next few chapters might seem a bit slow compared to the last three years', but since I decided to move the plot to Durmstrang for the year, I ended up having to introduce a new setting as well as quite a few new characters. I hope you won't find the whole thing too terrible, and I hope you'll stick with the story!

As always, I really appreciate all your reviews! I enjoy hearing from you, praise or criticism, so thank you!